New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 19 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE
Chapter 25 - ADMINISTRATION AND USE OF WATER - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part 12 - DAM DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND DAM SAFETY
Section 19.25.12.17 - OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL

Universal Citation: 19 NM Admin Code 19.25.12.17

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 24, December 23, 2024

Owners of dams classified as high or significant hazard potential shall prepare, maintain and adhere to an operation and maintenance manual that addresses the continued safe operation, maintenance and performance of the dam. Because each site, design and operating practice is unique, waivers of specific requirements in this section will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Request for waiver shall be in writing accompanied with documentation justifying the request. If the request is not justified to the satisfaction of the state engineer the request will be denied. If deemed appropriate, the state engineer may require the owner to obtain the services of a professional engineer licensed in the state of New Mexico qualified in the design and construction of dams to prepare complex technical aspects of the operation and maintenance manual. The operation and maintenance manual shall be submitted in a form acceptable to the state engineer. The operation and maintenance manual shall also be submitted in an electronic format acceptable to the state engineer. The front cover shall identify the document as an operation and maintenance manual and shall show the name of the dam, the county in which the dam is located and the dam owner. The first page behind the front cover shall show the name of the dam, the county in which the dam is located, signed certifications from the dam owner, engineer if required and a certification for the state engineer in accordance with Subsections A, B and E of 19.25.12.12 NMAC. Operation or maintenance of the dam in violation of the procedures presented in the accepted operation and maintenance manual that affect the safety of the dam will result in an order being issued requiring the dam owner to address the problem. The state engineer may also issue an order restricting storage in order to improve the unsafe condition. Failure to comply with orders issued by the state engineer may result in the license to operate the dam being revoked and the dam being ordered breached in accordance with Subsection B or C of 19.25.12.19 NMAC. The operation and maintenance manual shall contain the information described below, if relevant to the project, and any other additional information determined necessary by the state engineer to evaluate if the dam will be operated and maintained in a safe condition.

A. General information: Information on the project shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) location and access;

(2) purpose and description;

(3) table of properties; and

(4) history of construction, repairs and performance.

B. Operation: Operation instructions, frequency of operation and operator safety for the project shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) Reservoir:
(a) water right storage allocations;

(b) elevation, area and storage curve and table to the dam crest;

(c) elevation of the high water line;

(d) discharge rating table for the outlet conduit;

(e) discharge rating table for the spillway;

(f) emergency reservoir evacuation procedures; and

(g) first filling criteria and monitoring requirements.

(2) Outlet works:
(a) first operation;

(b) seasonal startup;

(c) seasonal shutdown;

(d) installation and removal of bulkhead;

(e) operation procedures for specific equipment; and

(f) electrical systems and controls.

(3) Operator safety:
(a) confined space entry and permits;

(b) fall protection;

(c) lockout/tag out; and

(d) other applicable safety requirements.

C. Instrumentation: Instrumentation for the project shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) description and purpose;

(2) detailed description of installation;

(3) calibration and maintenance schedule and instructions;

(4) reading schedule and instructions;

(5) data reduction and interpretation;

(6) identification of critical readings and notification procedures; and

(7) schedule for reporting data with interpretations to the state engineer.

D. Security: Projects that include security measures shall describe the security measures along with instructions for monitoring, maintaining and inspection.

E. Maintenance: Maintenance requirements and frequency shall be included.

F. Inspection: Inspection requirements, frequency and recommended checklist shall be included.

G. Updates and revisions: An update and revision procedure shall be included.

H. Appendices: Appendices shall include documentation that supports and supplements the manual. The appendices shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) captioned and dated photographs;

(2) key sheets from the record construction drawing set;

(3) instrumentation construction drawings;

(4) instrumentation rating tables and calibration details;

(5) monitoring and inspection forms;

(6) instrumentation plan to ensure any restrictions imposed by the design are incorporated into the operation and maintenance manual; and

(7) copies of any relevant procedures.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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